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Monthly Archives: May 2014

I revel in the fact that I work in an office where painting your nails at your desk is not frowned upon (#winning). Today I played around with Sally Hansen’s new Color Foil Nail Makeup in Leaden Lilac. Just one coat is enough for an opaque, rich coat (perfect if you need a quick polish fix and don’t have a lot of time on your hands — no top or base coat needed).

Sally Hansen Color Foil Nail Makeup in Leaden Lilac

Love that it looks like metal on my nails. The collection will be available in 10 shades for $8 starting in June!
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Shy
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So friends, today we’re talking about two gems I found in the city for haircuts and laser hair removal that you should definitely put on your radar:
HAIRCUT
Recently, I was invited to check out a boutique salon in the West Village, Ryan Darius. Being well overdue for a trim and hearing buzz about the salon from some of my colleagues, I went for it (this is the part my friends say I’m always getting my hair done…not arguing). I mentioned earlier that my hair was treated to a keratin smoothing treatment which, although a lot more shiny, made me crave volume. The good thing was I was in the very capable hands of stylist, LP.

Ryan Darius salon

I don’t veer too far from what I’m used to — long and layered. When I sat down, LP took stock of my hair and talked to me about how short I want to go (not short). I told him about my flat hair woes, and he listened and went to work.

With a small salon, it’s easy to get comfortable really quick (although the person next to you may or may not be listening on to your convo, and vice versa), but that’s also what gives this place its charm. There’s no trace of the space being a former pizza parlor, now outfitted with sleek chrome ceilings and chandeliers, and the stylists are experts at what they do. An hour later, my hair still had length but had much more structure. And LP understood exactly what long-haired girls don’t want — going snipping-happy.

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He didn’t cut it any shorter than I wanted (it’s amazing how many stylists will do their own thing even if you keep telling them that you want your hair a certain way), and used a concoction of Oribe products to give my hair some body and bend. I walked out a very happy customer. Cuts: $100 and up.

I found out about this place purely by word-of-mouth of a string of happy customers. My friend told me about how excellent her laser hair removal experience (that already sounds like a paradox) by Zaeba at Val El Salon and Spa, that quickly made me make an appointment myself.

I’ve been to a lot of places for laser hair removal sessions (#browngirlproblems), and Zaeba seriously is by far one of the best technicians I’ve ever had. She not only is skilled in her technique, but she is super professional and uses one of the highest quality cooling Cynosure Elite, which has a cooling function so it’s virtually painless* (*I know everyone’s threshold for pain is different, and I have a pretty high one, but this feels so quick and effortless even on very sensitive areas). Also, it’s great for light or darker skinned clients. After one session alone, I saw a world of difference.

Val El Salon and Spa

Call them for rates, but I promise you, it’ll be worth it.

Val El Salon and Spa
1291 1st Ave.
btw 69th and 70th streets
New York, NY 10021
(646) 360-3776
Upper East Side
Have any of you found salons or spas you love in the city? Tell me about them below!

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Shy
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